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Performing Arts News, interviews, and commentary on theater, the arts, music, and dance.

Performing Arts

Saturday

Musical 'East Of The River' Examines A Gentrifying Anacostia

Alvin, played by LJ Moses, performs "We Can't Stop," during the musical East of the River at the Anacostia Arts Center Friday night. Eslah Attar/NPR hide caption

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Eslah Attar/NPR

Theater

Musical 'East Of The River' Examines A Gentrifying Anacostia

Set amid a theoretical debate about a potential Whole Foods arriving in the historically underserved Washington, D.C. neighborhood, the musical looks at the good and the bad of gentrification.

Musical 'East Of The River' Examines A Gentrifying Anacostia

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Thursday

'Fall' Examines Playwright Arthur Miller's Secret Son

Actors Josh Stamberg (son of NPR's Susan Stamberg) and Joanne Kelly as Arthur Miller and Inge Morath in Fall. T. Charles Erickson hide caption

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T. Charles Erickson

'Fall' Examines Playwright Arthur Miller's Secret Son

The new play Fall tells the story of playwright Arthur Miller's son, Daniel, who was born with Down syndrome and was institutionalized as an infant. His parents never publicly acknowledged him.

'Fall' Examines Playwright Arthur Miller's Secret Son

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Wednesday

Monday

'The Band's Visit' And Harry Potter Win Big At A Quieter Tony Awards

Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub perform "Omar Sharif" from The Band's Visit at the Tony Awards on Sunday night. John P. Filo/CBS hide caption

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John P. Filo/CBS

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Band's Visit' And Harry Potter Win Big At A Quieter Tony Awards

The Tony Awards paid off for The Band's Visit, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the Angels in America revival and a scrappy theater kid named Bruce Springsteen.

'The Band's Visit' And Harry Potter Win Big At A Quieter Tony Awards

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Sunday

SAG-AFTRA And TV Networks Move To Eliminate Casting Couch

Harvey Weinstein (left) and his attorney Benjamin Brafman leave a New York court, where Weinstein pleaded not guilty Tuesday to rape and other abuse violations. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

Culture

SAG-AFTRA And TV Networks Move To Eliminate Casting Couch

The new agreement will limit professional meetings in off-site locations, and aims to change industry culture as the #MeToo movement has transformed conversation around sexual harassment and assault.

A Campaign For 'Often The Hardest-Working People On Stage' — The Chorus

Though the musical Mean Girls is nominated for a dozen Tony Awards, no Tonys are given to Broadway choruses. Kamille Upshaw is pictured in the bright green jacket, right of center. Joan Marcus/Boneau/Bryan-Brown hide caption

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Joan Marcus/Boneau/Bryan-Brown

Theater

A Campaign For 'Often The Hardest-Working People On Stage' — The Chorus

Broadway chorus members won't be recognized in their own categories as part of tonight's Tony Awards. But they might be in the future, thanks to an effort from the Actors Equity union.

A Campaign For 'Often The Hardest-Working People On Stage' — The Chorus

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Saturday

Parkland Drama Teacher Who Helped Save 65 To Receive Tony Award For Education

Melody Herzfeld helped save 65 students when gunfire broke out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Ian Witlen hide caption

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Ian Witlen

Education

Parkland Drama Teacher Who Helped Save 65 To Receive Tony Award For Education

Melody Herzfeld sheltered dozens of students during the February shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. On Sunday, she'll receive a Tony Award for excellence in education.

Parkland Drama Teacher Who Helped Save 65 To Receive Tony Award For Education

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Wednesday

David Copperfield Found Negligent But Won't Pay For Injury During Magic Act

Although he is not financially responsible, illusionist David Copperfield still paid a steep price: His lawyers were unable to prevent the disclosure of secrets about the illusion in question, known as "Lucky #13." John Locher/AP hide caption

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John Locher/AP

The Two-Way

David Copperfield Found Negligent But Won't Pay For Injury During Magic Act

A British tourist sued the famed illusionist, saying he suffered a serious brain injury after falling while acting as a volunteer for an onstage trick in 2013.

Tuesday

Repertorio Español Celebrates 50 Years With A World Premiere

Luz Nicolás stars in Exquisita Agonía by Nilo Cruz, which premieres in May at Repertorio Español. Michael Palma Mir/Sam Rudy Media Relations hide caption

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Michael Palma Mir/Sam Rudy Media Relations

Theater

Repertorio Español Celebrates 50 Years With A World Premiere

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz has written a play specifically for the anniversary of the Spanish language theater.

Repertorio Español Celebrates 50 Years With A World Premiere

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Monday

Theater

How Rodgers And Hammerstein Revolutionized Broadway

Fresh Air

Todd Purdum's new book is about the creative partnership and strained personal relationship behind such hit shows as Carousel, South Pacific and The Sound of Music. Originally broadcast April 9, 2018.

How Rodgers And Hammerstein Revolutionized Broadway

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Sunday

Rita Moreno To 'My Gente': Be Proud Of Who You Are, And Don't Give Up

Rita Moreno attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4 in Hollywood, Calif. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Culture

Rita Moreno To 'My Gente': Be Proud Of Who You Are, And Don't Give Up

Moreno is being honored by the Ellis Honor Society for her work with immigrant communities. She talks to NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro about her career, her advocacy, and progress in the Latino community.

Rita Moreno To 'My Gente': Be Proud Of Who You Are, And Don't Give Up

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Saturday

From Prison To The London Stage: A 'MacBeth' Actor's Second Act

Nadia Albina as Gentlewoman, Anne-Marie Duff as Lady Macbeth and Michael Balogun as Doctor in Macbeth at the National Theatre in London. Brinkhoff Mögenburg/Courtesy of the National Theatre hide caption

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Brinkhoff Mögenburg/Courtesy of the National Theatre

Theater

From Prison To The London Stage: A 'MacBeth' Actor's Second Act

Michael Balogun spent his early years in and out of jail — until he decided to become an actor. Balogun credits that decision as to why he's alive today.

From Prison To The London Stage: A 'MacBeth' Actor's Second Act

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Monday

Kennedy Center Joins Institutions Stripping Bill Cosby Of Awards

Bill Cosby departs after a pretrial hearing in his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Aug. 22, 2017. He was found guilty last month on three counts. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

The Two-Way

Kennedy Center Joins Institutions Stripping Bill Cosby Of Awards

As the comedian awaits sentencing for a conviction for aggravated indecent assault, the prestigious arts institution rescinded its Honors award and Mark Twain humor prize.

Thursday

'Jerome Robbins 100' Is A Centennial Celebration Of Timeless Choreography

Dancers from The American Ballet Theatre perform Robbins' ballet Fancy Free in 1946. Baron/Getty Images hide caption

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Baron/Getty Images

Dance

'Jerome Robbins 100' Is A Centennial Celebration Of Timeless Choreography

Robbins directed and choreographed many of Broadway's biggest hit musicals, including West Side Story. Now, New York City Ballet, the company he helped co-found, is throwing a festival in his honor.

'Jerome Robbins 100' Is A Centennial Celebration Of Timeless Choreography

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Wednesday

'Snow Child' Conveys Alaska's Wild Magic In Musical Form

Music is integral to Arena Stage's Snow Child, and actors sometimes join the house band on their own instruments. Maria Baranova-Suzuki hide caption

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Maria Baranova-Suzuki

Theater

'Snow Child' Conveys Alaska's Wild Magic In Musical Form

Eowyn Ivey's novel about a Alaskan homesteaders longing for a child — and the magical snow girl who appears to them — has been reimagined as a bluegrass-infused musical.

'Snow Child' Conveys Alaska's Wild Magic In Musical Form

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